Data on 115 colleges and universities show the effect of the qualifications of the faculty and decentralization of authority on faculty influence over general educational policy and faculty appointments. Findings suggest that highly qualified faculties have more influence via formal decision-making bodies. (Author/LBH)

Provides an analysis of the policy making process and examines various models and theories related to public and educational policy making. Minority writers have shown that in order for significant positive educational change to occur in minority communities there must be increases in the number of minorities in policy making positions.…

The administrative computing strategy that clarified requirements for the access control system and the concepts implemented to ensure a secure information processing environment are reviewed. Implementation at Virginia Tech resulted in the ability to electronically capture a document and route it through channels for electronic signature…

The trend in Australian university research policy is toward cost effectiveness and centralization, but this is likely to compromise established standards of excellence and diversity in basic research and lead to an overall reduction in the scale of research. Further study is needed before policy changes are implemented. (Author/MSE)

Considers 10 areas of internal operations in which the Research Libraries Group/North American Collection Inventory Project (RLF/NCIP) Conspectus can be used as a management aid: collection priorities, collection management, space utilization, preservation programs, staffing allocations, material fund requests, accreditation, materials selection,…

Schools need more incentives to begin to produce more "thoughtfulness." As it is now they respond by "getting by" because they are only held accountable for minimal levels of achievement. Policymakers need to develop a different system of acccountability. (MD)

Questions why there are no arts policy research centers in existence, considering what they should look like, what they should do, and how they should be constituted. Discusses whether such centers should be developed now, what model of policy analysis and formulation would be appropriate, and what institutional form (think-tank, governmental…

Evaluation of state advanced technology programs has begun in response to budget reviews. Issues include: (1) political and institutional contexts of evaluation; (2) technical issues concerning outcome specifications, use of process indicators, and dependence on self-reported assessments; and (3) use of evaluation in policy making. (TJH)

Colleges should consider adopting specific policies for handling incidents of racial harassment. Campus policies for dealing with racial harassment "should be written, posted, and specific, and make a commitment that there will be no retaliation against a complainant." (MLW)

Discusses the problem of differentiating librarianship from other information-related occupations. Several models used to define the concept of information are presented; and the relationships of information to knowledge, information science, library science, and the mission of the academic library are explored. (34 notes with references) (CLB)

This working paper focuses on the educational planner as a bureaucratic actor. To explain planner influence or lack of influence in the policymaking process, practitioners need to explore the micropolitics of organizations and understand individual, organizational, and situational forces demanding their engagement. Planners need an engaged…

Discusses specific selection criteria used in making collection development decisions and presents both a model for arriving at a selection decision, and a mechanism for assigning a priority to each selection. (CLB)

The Network of Colleges and Universities Committed to the Elimination of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, a national higher-education group for exchanging information about substance abuse programs has issued a set of 22 standards for college policy formation and enforcement. Institutions will be invited to join the network. (MSE)

Provides policy guidelines for state and local officials, professionals, and child advocates seeking to improve the reporting and investigation of suspected child abuse and neglect. (BB)

Describes the events that led to the establishment of the national policy for informatics in Brazil, which restricts foreign involvement in that nation's computer industry. The governing agencies are described, controversies and debates surrounding the policy are summarized, and the reaction of the American government is discussed. (Author/CLB)